In The Kitchen: Anne Rabel of Haitian.ish

At the intersection of Douglas Avenue and Eaton Street, sits Haitian.ish, a food truck with an alluring tropical design, where owner and Chef Anne Rabel takes pride in a menu bursting with rich flavors and a colorful, eye-catching aesthetic delivered with every plate served. “I felt like there was a missing link in Rhode Island’s food community, especially when it came to Haitian culture,” Rabel says. “We didn’t have a lot of food trucks representing us, so I felt like it was my calling to step in and do that.”

Rabel started cooking at 16, and thought nursing school was something she wanted to pursue, until it wasn’t. She pivoted and attended culinary school, after which she began traveling and working in various locations – Washington, DC, Virginia, Atlanta, and Boston – before returning to Rhode Island where she considered starting something of her own while working at Ocean House in Westerly, followed by Plant City, Providence. “I realized that there was a need when it came to Haitian cuisine, especially Haitian fast food and street food, that I could tap into,” she says. “That’s where ‘Haitian.ish’ comes from because it’s Haitian, but with a little flair for other things.” Haitian.ish began in 2022 as a food cart and catering business serving Haitian meat pies, and officially hit the road as a food truck in the summer of 2025, appearing at outdoor music festivals including Yellow Cup Weekend and Daytrill.

At the core of Haitian cooking is an herb-heavy marinade called epis. Chopped garlic, parsley, scallions, bell peppers, and maybe some citrus, cloves, or ground pepper impart big flavors to meat and fish. The Haitian.ish way of ordering is simple: choose a protein and two sides. With an ever-changing menu, Rabel recommends trying the weekly special, as it’s the most popular and likely to sell out first. Past specials have been oxtail and pineapple-glazed lamb chops, so if you’re lucky enough to catch it on the menu, order it, there’s no telling when it will return. Other notable options on the menu are red snapper, shrimp, chicken wings, and beef. Sides vary and can include plantains, mac and cheese, rice, spicy Haitian spagetti, or fries.

“Haitian food is very flavorful, cultural, and intentional. It’s shaped by so many different influences and melting pots, so the outcome is bound to be delicious,” says Rabel. Her personal favorite is turkey wings, which give a chicken chicharrón-like experience, with a lightly crisp, golden exterior that gives way to tender, juicy meat. “The techniques I use are a twist on what Haitians would originally do,” she explains.

When it comes to refreshing drinks, Haitian.ish has a variety of popular lemonades in flavors like strawberry passion fruit. When it’s your turn at the window, ask about dessert, which is sure to be fresh and flavorful, like the recent strawberry crunch. Rabel offers catering services, along with mixology and bartending for private events. Look for the palm tree logo emitting Caribbean vibes Friday-Sunday at 391 Douglas Avenue, and follow along for events and updates at Haitinish.net; Instagram @haitian.ish_